Spatial Framework successor is the "same dog but washed" says local councillor

A local councillor has branded the new ‘Places for Everyone’ plan – which replaces the controversial Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) – “the same dog, but washed.”

Councillor John Taylor, says the new plan “contains all of its predecessor’s flaws and threats to our communities” and is “pretty much the old plan with Stockport removed.”

The Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was replaced by Places for Everyone earlier this year, after Stockport pulled out of the GSMF last year.
 

Read more: Public consultation on GMSF successor launchesPublished: 09 August 2021

Councillor Taylor continued: “The Spatial Framework would have been a disaster for places such as Littleborough and Wardle.

“I fear our greenbelt and green spaces remain at serious risk of irreparable damage and destruction.

“Unfortunately, this latest iteration can only be described as the same dog but washed.”

Whilst Councillor Taylor agrees that “we need bold and challenging plans,” he disagrees on its execution, saying it “must be focused on local communities and local need.”

“We do need a strong strategic vision and accompanying implementation plan, but that plan must be focused on local communities and local need. A local plan is what is needed through local consultation and with local agreement in order to address local need,” he explained.

“The Places for Everyone plan says it is seeking to protect the most valuable green spaces – it’s a pity Littleborough and Hollingworth Lake don’t fall into that category. And the same can be said for several other areas too.

“The plan suggests brownfield sites should be developed first yet it includes nothing that will prioritise those sites: there is nothing to stop developers targeting our greenbelt and ultimately leaving local eyesores undeveloped when supply outstrips demand.”

 

 

Councillor Taylor went on, acknowledging the ambition to “make Manchester a top global city” but asking “at what cost to communities like ours?”

“If the ambition is realised, we may be on the fringes of an uplifted city and we may enjoy the benefits of greater prosperity. However, we will live with greater congestion with an intentionally increased population beyond our need, far more concrete and the unnecessary loss of our greenbelt and green spaces.

“Conversely, if those plans don’t come to fruition as intended, we risk ending up with a depressed economy, surplus housing along with the destruction of our greenbelt and green spaces.”

He added: “This feels like a lose-lose situation, as either way we lose our greenbelt and green spaces.

“I cannot see how this is a risk worth taking, in fact this is a terrible decision taken by people in Manchester who seem to know nothing about our community. I do not want to live in an all-consuming concrete jungle of Manchester over-spill and I don’t think many other people around here do either.

“It is particularly frustrating how the proposed ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and this plan ends at our border with West Yorkshire. Our close neighbours in West Yorkshire are able to develop their own area plan through consultation and by listening to their community.

“I don’t see their villages of Walsden or Todmorden being under threat in the same way ours are.”

Councillor Taylor went on to say he agreed with meeting the housing need, but pointed out that the plan seeks to “over-develop our borough and build 122% of homes needed.”

He continued: “Our borough is predicted to require an increase of 8,048 homes by 2037. However, Places for Everyone and urban plans seek to build 9,858 new homes during the same period. This is an increase of 1,810 homes over and above official predictions.

“Given these figures, how on earth can building on our greenbelt be a strategically exceptional case when 122% of projected need is to be built?

“The plan aims to over saturate our area and draw the populace from South Manchester into the Rochdale borough. It is blatantly obvious how there is absolutely no need to build on any of the proposed greenbelt development sites across the whole borough.

“Now is the time for everyone to make their voices heard and make their objections against this wholly destructive and disastrous plan.”

Places for Everyone is currently out for an eight-week consultation until 3 October. The consultation is the final stage in the preparation of the plan, which proposes to build 165,000 new homes – down from the 227,000 in the 2016 GMSF draft, and with a 60% reduction in green belt development compared to the first version.

Of these homes, 50,000 will be classed as affordable housing, with 30,000 available for social rent. 

More than 55 million sq ft of office, industrial and warehousing space is also proposed across the nine boroughs.

People taking part in the consultation will be able to view the proposed development sites and read supporting documents online.

Hard copies are available to view at the libraries in the borough that are currently open - click here for locations and opening times.

To take part in the consultation, go to www.gmconsult.org.

 

Reporting: Rochdale Online

Additional reporting: Niall Griffiths, Local Democracy Reporting Service